Arizona Cardinals NFL Draft 2026: Analysis & Picks | Ep. 189

The Arizona Cardinals concluded their 2026 NFL Draft with a focus on bolstering both offense and defense, selecting players across all seven of their original picks. The team deviated from its usual draft-day trading activity, maintaining all of its initial selections, according to reports from NFL.com and SI.com.

First-Round Focus: Jeremiyah Love

With the third overall pick, the Cardinals selected running back Jeremiyah Love from Notre Dame. While some analysts questioned the choice of a running back so high in the draft, the Cardinals appear confident in Love’s potential. According to a report by SI.com, Love is projected to be a dynamic playmaker capable of significantly impacting the Cardinals’ offense.

If Love is anything close to what people are projecting him to be, Arizona added another dynamic playmaker to an offense that already as Trey McBride, Marvin Harrison Jr. And Michael Wilson.

SI.com

However, the success of Love is contingent on the performance of the offensive line, which remains a developing area for the team. The Cardinals’ investment in Love also makes him one of the NFL’s highest-paid running backs before playing a single snap, a factor noted by SI.com’s assessment of the pick.

Subsequent Rounds: Offensive and Defensive Additions

In the second round, the Cardinals selected offensive guard Chase Bisontis from Texas A&M. NFL.com reports that Bisontis is a “nasty blocker” who should provide immediate support to the offensive line. The team continued to add to both sides of the ball in the following rounds. Quarterback Carson Beck was selected in the third round from Miami, while defensive tackle Kaleb Proctor was chosen in the fourth round from Southeastern Louisiana.

Further selections included wide receiver Reggie Virgil from Texas Tech in the fifth round, linebacker Karson Sharar from Iowa in the sixth round and offensive tackle Jayden Williams from Mississippi in the seventh round. NFL.com highlighted Sharar as an overachiever with good athletic upside, despite a limited frame.

Overall Draft Grade: Positive Assessment

Analysts have generally given the Cardinals a positive assessment of their 2026 draft class. NFL.com awarded the Cardinals an “A” grade for their overall performance, praising their selection of Love and Bisontis. The Cardinals’ decision to retain all seven of their original picks allowed them to address needs across the roster, securing promising talent in each round.

The Cardinals chose the best offensive threat in the draft third with Love’s strength, vision and ability to score from anywhere on the field apparently trumping the narrative that running backs aren’t worth a top-five pick.

NFL.com

The draft class is expected to contribute to the team’s ongoing rebuild under new head coach Mike LaFleur, providing potential impact players on both offense and defense. The Cardinals’ approach to the draft signals a commitment to building a competitive roster through a combination of high-potential selections and strategic additions throughout the later rounds.